Wire-stretcher.



No. 645,6l9. Patented Mar. 20, I900.

J. H. FELLOWS.

WIRE STRETGHEB.

(Application filed May '3, 1:599.

(mi Model.)

wlmksss IN VENTOR f2 I BY I I UNITED STATES JOHN H. FELLOWS, on EL DORADO, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO I Fries,

JOHN W. MORRISON,OF SAME PLACE.

WIRE-sTRETQHI-ia.

srncrrrcnrron forming part of Letters Patent 1a. 645,619, dated March so, 1900 Application filed May 3, 1899- erial No. 115,404. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. FELLOWS, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at El Dorado, in the county of Butler and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretchers, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to wire=stretchers, and has more particular reference to a device of this class adapted for use in the construction of telephone-lines, telegraph-lines, and wire fences.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which like letters of reference denote like parts in the several views, and in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wire stretcher constructed according to my invention; and Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are details of the construction shown in Fig. 1, Figs. 2 and 3 being partly in section.

Referring more particularly to the drawin gs, dis an oblong block, which is chambered longitudinally, as at b, and slotted at one side, as at c, and also slotted in the top for a predetermined distance, as at d, and the slots 0 and cl communicate with the chamber 12. A stop 6 is formed upon the block a and spans the slot 0. Slidably mounted in the chamber 1) is a ratchet-bar f, and suitably journaled in supports 9, secured to the block a at one endof the slot d, is a spring-operated locking pawl h, the head of which operates in connection with the teeth ofthe ratchet-bar f.

At one end of the block a, and respectively at either side thereof, are formed a pair of supports j, and pivoted between said supports j is a lever-handle 70, provided with a yokeshaped inner end portion 5, and pivoted between the ends of the arms m of the yokeshaped end portion Z is an operating-pawl n, which operates through the slot at and in connection with the ratchet-bar f. The pivoting of the lever-handle between the supports j is so arranged that the ends of the arms m of the yoke-shaped portion Z thereof are free to oscillate, and it is evident that the oscilate in connection with the plate 0 is a cam- Y shaped grip q.

Secured to the side of the block a, adjacent the supports jj, is a supplemental grip-support 0", secured thereto by a plate 3, and pit" oted therein and adapted to operate in con nection with the plate sis a cam-shaped grip t. The grips q and t operate upon the same side of the block a. A chain a is detachably connected by meansof a hook with that end of the block a adjacent which the supports j are located.

The operation of my device will be evident from the foregoing description when taken in connection With the accompanying drawings and the following statement thereof.

The block a is connected with a telegraph or telephone pole or fence-post or similar support by means of the chain at, which is passed about the same and secured at each end to the hook 10. An end of the wire to be clamp q and the plate 0, and the lever-handle 7c is oscillated, causing the pawl 11 to suecessively engage the teeth of the ratchet-bar f and move the same longitudinally of the block Ct, moving the plate 0 and clamp q toward the clamp t. Thepawl It will prevent any reverse movement of the bar f. When this movementis completed, the end of the wire is passed between the clamp t and the plate .9

and firmly bound between the same, and the ratchet-bar f is moved backward in the chamber b and a fresh hold is taken upon thewire by the clamp q and plate 0, and the oscillation of the handle-lever 7c is resumed until the Wire is drawn as taut as desired.

It is evident that two stretchers may be used, between which the wire may be drawn taut by attaching one end thereof to each stretcher.

It is evident that many changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device, and I claim all such as come within the scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, I

1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters at one end thereof and provided with a piv' oted lever-handle, and adapted to operate in connection with said ratchet-bar through the slot in the top of said block, a clamping device secured to the side of said block at the end thereof adjacent said operating-pawl, and devices for securing said block toa post or other support, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 29th day of April, 1899.

JOHN-H. FELLOWS. Witnesses:

E. G. LOUTHAN, L. J. EGAN. 

